Automatic labeling machine



June 7, 1960 H. c. SCHLUTER AUTOMATIC LABELING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 29, 1957 2 mm y m .E E N Wm l5 0 c if z/ wz m June 7, 1960 H. c. SCHLUTER AUTOMATIC LABELING MACHINE 5 She ets-Sheet 2 Filed April 29, 1957 mm &

INVENTOR. v #422) C. 56040752 ENE) IQEEEEFEI. m Ii. 1

H. c. SCHLUTER 2,939,599

5 Sheets-Sheet 3 a I 07 @N kmmm m N @Nhw my 9 Y {i 9 WM N 1 n m m w a r u a n p Nm QM. N. N M \m F Q mm %m m Q w M Q m AUTOMATIC LABELING MACHINE June 7, 1960 Filed April 29, 1957 June 7, 1960 H. c. SCHLUTER AUTOMATIC LABELING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed April 29, 1957 A7770 mgr June 7, 1960 H. c. SCHLUTER 2,939,599

AUTOMATIC LABELING MACHINE Filed April 29, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. AAZQEYC. 56420758 United StatesPatent O 2,939,599? 7 AUTOMATIC LABELING Harry C. Schluter, 8300 S. Arrington Ave., Rivera, Calif.

Filed Apr. 29, 1951, Ser. No. 655,561

13 Claims. 01. 216- 9 1 This invention relates to labeling machines and more particularly to an improved fully automatic mechanism for applying a gurnmed label to an article as-it'reaches a labeling station, a new label being advanced to an aflixing position in readiness for the next article upon its arrival at the labeling station.

Labeling machines as heretofore proposed are subject to numerous disadvantages and shortcomings obviated by the present invention. For example, much difiiculty has been experienced in the operation of feed control mechanisms of prior labeling machines and attempts to utilize the advance of the next label to deactivate the label feed have proven unreliable with the result that a package passes the machine unlabeled, or in other cases, with several labels afiixed thereto. Certain mechanisms rely on control air openings in the carrier ribbon employed to advance labels from a supply reservoir, the uncovering of an air port of the. control mechanism being utilized to control the feeding mechanism. How ever, the high speed operation of such equipment requires extremely sensitive and reliable control mechanisms and requires expensive air compressor auxiliary units adding appreciably to the initial cost, as well as to the cost of operation. I

Additionally, mechanisms heretofore proposed for transferring a new label to the package at the proper time and with the required certainty and speed are inherently so slow acting as to impose objectionable speed limitations on the mech nismas a whole.

According to the present invention-a fully automatic labeling machine is provided featuring mechanism for feeding accurately aligned labels to a labeling station and Patented June 7, 1960 for atlixing an individual label; to an article, the aflixing operation proper being governed by the arrival of an article in a predetermined positionatthe labeling stat-ion. A-following label is then advanced in readiness for transfer to the next articleon its arrived, this portionof'the operating cycle being utilized to condition the label.- applying meehanism for exceedingly fast operation immediately upon arrival of theneXt-article.

A feature of the designis the utilization of the forward movement of articles 'beingilabeled to initiate resumed advance of the label as well as activation of the labelapplying mechanism. Afeeler device in contact 'with the advancing labels acts to discontinue label feed as the advancing labels reach a predetermined position at the labeling station. I

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the invention to provide an improved automatic labeling machine operforemost label-reaches a predetermined position adjacent the labeling station and for resuming label feed incident to the transfer of a label to an article.

Another object is the provision of a labeling mechanism having improved fast-acting label transfer mechanism operable from energy stored within the apparatus during a preceding portion of the operating cycle. Still another object of the invention is the provision of an automatic labeling mechanism in whichthe label to be affixed to an article is advanced in a'transversely arched condition thereby greatly adding to its strength during the application operation and providing maximum assurance that the label will be applied to the article unwrinkled. I f

These andother objects and advantages of the invention will be more fully set forth in the following specifi-K cation and claims considered in connection with the attached drawings to which they relate.

In the drawings: Figure l is a side elevational view of the apparatus readiness for the application of a label; r

Figure 1a is a view similar to Figure 1 but showing the apparatus in an operating position to one side of a conveyor for transporting articles to be labeled pastthe labeling station;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the'apparatusshown in Figure 1; v a

Figure 3 is a fragmentary view partially in section of the feeding mechanism positioned in retracted .position to initial label feed and label transfer operations;

Figure 4 is a-view similar to Figure 3 but showing the parts positioned in a stationary condition awaiting arrival of an article to be labeled; 1

Figure 5 is a fragmentary view in section showing one position of parts during application ofthe label to an article; v i Figures .5a and 5b are fragmentary side views showing the label-applicating arm applyinglabels tothe convex and concave surfaces, respectively, of different articles;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view taken along 6-6 of Figure 4 and showing operating positions of the article-position-sensing mechanism;

Figure,7 is ,a" transverse sectional view taken: along line 7-7 of Figure 4; and

Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the-electrical control circuit. g 2

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a labeling mechanism-designated generally, at 10 comprising a base plate 11 supported on suitable legs 12, or on apedestal 1 2a having an inclined upper end as is best indicated in Figure la. Although the labeling mechanisn'tiis .illustrated inFigure l as supported ina generally horizontal able to apply a label to an article upon its arrivalat a plane, it will be understood that in a preferred'mo'de of installation base plate 11 is located at an angleof approximately twenty-five degrees to the horizontal as is shown in Figure la, the right-hand end of the base being uppermost. An electric motor 13} having suitable gear reduction means housed therewithin is mounted in the central portion of jthe base plate and-connected through a positive drive, such as link chain 14;with'a wide, smooth-surfaced label feed wheel 15 suitably journaled beneath base plate 11.

A thin, glossy-surfaced paper tape 16 to which labels are afiixed in a manner to be described presently is held in tight frictional contact with theunderside 'of feed pulley 15by means ofra clutching mechanism designated generally at 17 pivotally supported on the underside of 'basel lby a pivot pin'18. Clutch mechanism-17;:conrprises a pair of rigida rrns 19, fixed atone endi-to pin 3 t 18 and pivotally supporting a cradle 21 therebetween on a pivot pin 20. Cradle 21 is of generally U-shape and supports a pair of wide rollers 22 between the ends of its arms, these rollers bearing against the opposite lower sides of the main drive pulley in the manner clearly illustrated inFigure 1. Cradle '21 is, along with arms 25, strongly biased clockwise about the axis of. pin 18 by a stiff spring 24 having one end anchored to the outer end of an arm 25 keyed to pin 18 and its opposite end anchored to the apparatus frame. It will therefore be evident that the clutch mechanism normally acts to hold ribbon 16 in snug frictional engagement with drive wheel 15 whereby counterclockwise rotation ofthe drive wheel is effective to feed ribbon 16 from left to right acrossthe underside of base plate 11 from a magazine supply roll 16a carried in spool '29.

A supply of gummed labels is coiled on a roll 16a mounted in, a magazine spool 29 mounted on a pin 30 fixed to a bracket 31 projecting upwardly from base plate 11. A large knurled knob 32 is threaded to the outer end of pin 30 and can be adjusted to compress a sponge rubber gasket 33 against the outer face of magazine spool 29 in a manner to provide an adjustable drag on the magazine spool. thereby preventing unreeling of the labels except in accordance with labeling needs.

Assisting in feeding the ribbon and in compactly storing the portion thereof from which the labels have been detached is a take-up spool 22a suitably mounted behind supply reel 29 on a rotating pin 30a. Pin 3611 may be driven from motor 30 by means of a belt 63 and a slip clutch secured to the rear face of spool 29a, the belt and clutch acting to maintain ribbon 16 taut but slipping as required to avoid placing the ribbon under tension in excess of a certain value appreciably below its tensile strength.

It will be understood that the labels 44 may be of any suitable size and nature, those here illustrated by way of example being of rectangular configuration and their Width corresponding to that of ribbon 16. However, they may be of widely varying dimensions other than those here illustrated, it being desirable in all instances that the ribbon width conform generally with that of the labels. If the dimensions vary widely from those shown, it may be necessary to make certain adjustments in the mechanism as will be readily understood by those skilled in this art.

The labels are preferably provided with a temperaturesensitive coating of adhesive on their underside suitable forfsecurin'g the same to an article and are mounted in end-to-end relation on one side of carrier ribbon 16. Preferably there is a slight spacing between the ends of adjacent labels for a purpose which will become evident presently. The labels may be held in a desired position, on the glossy surface of the carrier ribbon in any well known manner such as by a suitable adhesive easily severed or by lightly tacking the labels to the carrier ribbon by adhesive particles which shear or separate readily when the carrier ribbon is bent sharply as by passing over a sharp edge in a manner to be described below.

As is most clearly shown in Figures 1, 3 and 4 the carrier ribbon 16 passes from a coil mounted on reel 29 beneath a spring guide roller 23 carried on an arm 23a journalled in frame 11 and resiliently biased counterclockwise by spring means not shown and serving to hold the ribbon against the upper surface of platen 26. The rounded forward edge 27 of the platen provides a rather sharp return bend support for ribbon 16 assisting materially in separating a label from the ribbon for transfer to an article as the ribbon passes rearwardly over idler roll 28 and about the lower face of feed roll 15, vit being understood that the ribbon is held clutched firmly to this roll by rollers 22 of clutching mechanism 17. In the manner described the advancing ribbon and labels 44 attached to its upper surface are held firmly against the upper side of platen 26 as they approach the labeling station, an individual label continuing'to feed forwardly as the carrier ribbon 16 passes sharply over platen edge 27 and rearwardly into label-feeding mechanism 17.

Clamped against the lower surface of platen 26 is a housing 61 for an electric heater element 62 for maintaining the platen sufficiently warm to soften the heatsensitive adhesive coating on the underside of the labels 44- arranged end to end in slightly spaced relation on the upper side of ribbon 16. The heat supplied by the heating element also weakens the bond between the labels and, carrier ribbon 16-. rendering the labels easily separable from the ribbon, the initial separation being initiated as will now be described.

The means for separating the labels from the carrier ribbon includes an elongated specially shaped shoe it having its upwardly humped rear end 36 anchored to bracket 35 secured to frame 11. Humped portion 36 of the shoe overlies a half-round finger 37 extending crosswise of the shoe with its flat side held flush against platen 26. The flat central portion of shoe 49 cooperates with roller 23: and with a leaf spring 52 in holding the carrier ribbon depressed against the platen with an intermediate portion of the ribbon bearing firmly against the rounded upper side of finger 37 in the manner illustrated in Figures 3, 4. and 5. In consequence of the relatively sharp bend imposed on the ribbon by the finger and by the end of spring 52 as the ribbon passes over finger 37 the leading edge or lip 38 of the label separatesfrom the carrier ribbon for a purpose which will become apparent presently. The straight central portion of shoe 4? forwardly of humped rear end 36 holds the ribbon pressed against the hot platen but the heat-softened adhesive beneath lip 33 does not readhere to the ribbon.

The forward end of shoe 49 has a long narrow slot 39 shaped as best shown in Figure 7 providing a pair of fingers 4il-4l positioned to either side of a pawl 41 having a hook 43 operating within the slot and engageable with lip 38 of the labels in the manner described below. The ends of fingers 40-40 are bent upwardly sufi'iciently to provide free space for a relatively flat finger 42 adjustably secured to-platen' 26 and having several purposes including one similar to that described in connection with finger 37. It is pointed out that finger 42 may be thicker at a point between fingers 40-40 than elsewhere along its length as an aid in arching the advancing labels upwardly crosswise of its path of travel as well as for insuring the separation of lip 38- from the underlying ribbon. Additionally, transverse upward arching of the label provides greater assurance that hook 43 of pawl 41 will engage the label lip in a positive manner.

Further assisting in arching the label upwardly crosswise of its path of travel and in maintaining this arched condition as the label is dispensed is a guide shoe 45 formed from copper or other goOdhctit-conducting material and having its rounded'upper end 46 bearing against the underside of the label in an area between and close to the ends of fingers 40. The other end of guide shoe 4-5 is brazed or otherwise secured in good heat-conduct ing relation to the heater enclosed by housing 61 whereby outer end 46 of the shoe is maintained warm thereby safeguarding against the adhesive on the labels cooling and adhering to the shoe as a label is being dispensed;

It is emphasized that the upward arching of the label produced by the protrusion of end 46 of shoe 45 appreciably above the lower surface of fingers 4040 (Figures 3 and 4) is important for several reasons. Firstly, the arching greatly stiffens the label and keeps it straight throughout the full length-of the label. Secondly, the arching arrests any tendency of the label to follow the ribbon about rounded edge 27 of platen 26. Thirdly, and of particular importance, there'is no'tendency for the label to wrinkle'or to fold over transversely of its path of advance ash is being pressed against an underlying article, nor is there any tendency" for the label to push designated generally at 51,: the .twoniechanisms' being mechanically interconnected in a manner best'lillustrated in Figures 1, 3; 5 and 7. .The article orpackage-sensing' mechanism 50 comprises afeelerarm 53 having one end fixed to a shaft 54 journaled between its ends in a bear: ing55 fixedto-frame 11 of the machine. VFixedEto :the opposite end of shaft 54 as by screw -56is a bifurcated arm 57 pivotally supporting a. dog'58between its outer ends on :a pin 59. Dogj5'8: is: normally held generally parallelto arm 57' by a: tension-spring-- 60 one endof,

which ishookedthrough an opening. of dog 58 and the other end. of which is hooked through arr opening near the fixed; end of arm 5'7.in ithe1 manner made clear by Figures 6 and-7. It will be" understood: that normallythe weigh-tot arms153 and-5,7igbiases shafty5-4 to rotate 'cou'nterclockwiseas Viewed in Figure 6 until-.,d0'g 58 rests againstthe'adjacentfinger, 400i. shoe 49 'with the free end of feeler, arm 53 positioned in the pathof an advancing artiole-65 tobela'beled; As istindicated imFigure 1 a,; articles 'to be labeled may besu'pported' on-a'belt,

conveyor-indicated generally at 66, although it-will be" understood that the articles may advance in any" other onventional manner such as along an inclined gravity chute underlying article-feeler 53-.

.Label-feeler mechanism 51, is best illustrated in Figures 3, 4 and 5 wherein'it is seen to comprise a shaft 67 extending transversely of the direction of label feed-.and'rota'tto open and de-energize theimotorf lt will thefefore'be i understoodthat the'next' label is positioned'in immediate readiness for dispensing .upon the arrival of the next pack age assensed by feeler S3.

The means for transferring andafiixing the'labels to an'underlying article will be best understood'by reference-to Figures 1, 2 and 5,the aflixing mechanism being mounted on a shelf 83 spaced above platen 26 and extending forwardly therebeyond. Mounted above this shelf is a solenoid 84 having an armature-85 1 normally held retracted by a spring 86 housed within the barrel of a retarder device 87 secured to shelf 83 by a bracket 90. The retarder includes a close-fitting piston 88 slidable freely along the interior wall of the barrel'and cooperartin'g with a vent opening .89 to retard movement of the armature in a manner wellunders'tood. ,Movement of armature 85 operatesa resilient labelafiixing roller 92 in a manner to press a'label firmly against the top of an underlying article as the label is dispensed from the machine as described above. This "roller is actuated by the solenoid 84" and spring 86 the lower end of arm 93. A light torsion spring 99 has one end anchoredto arm 93 andithe other :end bearing against the upper side of arm 97 urging the latter to ro-' tate clockwise asv will be'evident from Figure'l.

i rotation is limited in the retracted position of the mechaably mounted in :hearings .81 carried by the main frame of the apparatus. Fixed to theend of shaft 67'nearestthe label-carrying ribbonis an arm 68 to the free lowerend of which is fixed a shouldered screwpin 69 for" piv-' otally supportinghookedp'awl 41;; The longer; arm. of

pawlw tl carries a' hook 43lprojecting downwardly and article-feeler mechanism Detent 72 and. its mode of operation will be best understood by reference to Figures 6 and 7 ,it being -understoodv that normally dog 58 underlies portion 73- of the 'detentz Clockwise rotation of arm 57 carries the free end -of'do'g 'nism .by an idler roller 100 mounted on the end of a the. label firmly thereagainst. -1

I'hecontrol'circuit for the labeling machine, shown in Figure 8, comprises a pair of power leads 103', 104 connectable through the usual supplycord to a suitable power supply such as 110 volts, 60 cycle. Heater 62 for platen 26 is connected directly across thepower supply leads through a snap switch 105, and the label-advancing and its other end connected to the normally open contacts 110 of relay switch 106, this relayb'eing enei 558 into engagementuwitlr arm 73 thereby pivotingipawl 41 1 oldckwiseabout pivot pin 69 asjthese'elenie'ntsfare viewed in the. drawings. Continued, rotation'of the article-feeler permits dog 53 to by'-pass =the end of 73 leaving pawl-41 free to rotate downwardly into emgalgetfnentwith the. advancing strip of. labels. It will be understood that the elevation 'of pawl 41 to a position free'of label -1ip138 permits spring'70 to rotate pawl 41 an'dits supporting crank arm 68 counterclockwise about shaft 67 until arm 68 contacts stop pin 64 in which position hook 43 is positioned immediately above finger 42 extending crosswise beneath the ribbon of labels. i The lifting of pawl 41 out of engagement with lip 38 of a label in response to the elevation of article-sensing arm 53 is employed to dispense a single label by initiating the forward feed of label carrier ribbon 16. For this purpose sl'1aft67 as aflixed to it a pair of carn discs 75, 76' (:Figures 2 and 5) shapedto actuate cam followers 77, 78 ofmicro-switches 79, 80, respectively. Switch 79, as will be explained more fully presently, is normallyopen and. is effective to energize the feed-motor 13 when closed. The closing of the motor feedsthe carrier ribbon 16 forwardlyiuntil lip 38 of the next label engages pawl 41,and

carries this pawl forwardly to the position shown in'Figgized momentarily by a 40 microfarad condenser 107- connected in series with the relay and with switch in the manner shown in Figure 8; x

Con'dense1 107 is arrangedi'to be. charged between cycles ofthe labeling operation, that is between periods of label feed, through a rectifierltlS having one end con nected to power lead 104.and the other, endconnected' to ne contact ofswitch 80. It willtherefore beiunder stood that condenser .107 charges through rectifier 108 betweennfeeding cycles oflabels 44; During a portion of the label-feeding cycle, switch 80 is closed against its secondco ntact thereby allowing condenser 107 to discharge through relay 106 activating the same to close the circuit of solenoid 84 across power leads 106 and- 104." Sincecondenser 107 discharges very quickly, relay 106 remains energized only during a very brief interval there-F by controllingthe period solenoid 84 is energized. A

with rectifien108 and. the..left-hand contact of switch. 80 across power leads- 103 and 104. Upon arrival of an article 65 v(Figure la); at the labeling station, feeler arm 53 is elevated by the article thereby rotating shaft 54 along with arm 57 and. dog'58 against detent 73 to disengage hook 43 of pawl 41 from lip 38 of the foremost label 44. The disengagement of hook 43 from the label lip allows spring 70.to rotate pawl 41, arm 68 and shaft 67 counterclockwise as viewed in Figures 3 and 4 until arm 68 contacts stop 64. The rotation of shaft 67 and of Gammed discs 75, 76 fixed thereto effects closure of switches 79 and 80 in fast sequence to energize labelfeeding motor 13 and to discharge condenser 107 through relay switch 106.

The closing of switches 79 and 80 initiates two independent actions, namely the dispensing of a single label, and thepressing of thedispeused label against an article. Regarding the first of these operations it will be understood that. motor 13 operates through drive and clutch mechanism 17 to advance carrier ribbon 16 past the labeling st ation. As the ribbon is pulled spharply about the rounded edge 27 of platen26 the advancing detached lip 38 of the transversely arched label feeds forwardly over the warm rounded end 46 of guide shoe 45. This arching serves to stiffen the label against longitudinal bending and assures that it will remain straight throughout its dispensing length. Furthermore, and of particular importance, this arching preventsbending of the label as the applicating roller 92 strikes its foremost end thereby preventing the label from folding or wrinkling crosswise as the roller passes rearwardly along its length.

Feed control pawl 41 and switches 79, 80- controlled thereby remain in the position shown in Figure 3 and motor 13 continues the label feed until the forward label is substantially fully dispensed and the following label reaches a position such that its forward lip 38 is positioned as shown in Figure 5. During the forward feed of the labels, pawl 41 engages the lip 38 of the following label and is carriedforwardly in opposition to spring 70 until the pawl is positioned as shown in Figures 4 and 5. Just prior to reaching this position, cam discs 75, 76 have been rotated clockwise along with arm 68 and shaft 67 sufi'iciently to reverse the position of switches 79, 80' and thereby de-energizing label feed motor13. Owing to the gear reduction through which motor 13 operates, the A motor stops substantially instantaneously but does carry pawl 41 forward through the slight are required to safeguard against accidental closing of the switches between operating cycles. At this stage it will be evident that the advance label is fully dispensed and that the following label is then in immediate readiness for dispensing with its. forward lip 38 lifted clear ofthe ribbon and with its full length overlying the heated platen 26.

During the above-described portion of the cycle, switch 80 has been. closed in itsright-hand position as shown in Figure 8 so as todischarge the charge on condenser 107 through switch relay 106 energizing the same to close its contacts 110 and activate solenoid 84 for the brief instant that the charge on the condenser is etfectiveto hold contacts 110 closed. Activating the solenoid pulls armature 85 within coil 84in opposition to spring 86 to swing arms 93 and 97 carrying applicator roll 92 counterclockwise about pivot 94. As arm 97 rides ofi idler roll 100, spring 99 depresses roller 92 against the extended la-bel swiftly and firmly pressing it against the underlying article 65. During this operation the remote end of the label remains lightly gripped between fingers 40 and the underlying portion 46 of the guide shoe, these elements cooperating to provide the slight restraint so important in the accurate positioning of the label particularly during the initial pressing of its forward, end against article 65.

Owing to the rapid discharge of condenser 107 through relay 106; its contacts remained closed only for the brief instant required to attract armature 85-fully within the core-of the, solenoid, this position assuring that reller92 passes over the full length of the label. Once solenoid- 84: is. de-energized spring 86 shifts piston 88 towardthe left-"end of cylinder 87 forcing the air out through restricted vent 89 thereby slowing down the retraction of roller 92, particularly at the end of its withdrawal stroke. As roller 92 approaches full retraction arm 97 contacts idler 100 to'pivot arm 97 counterclockwise about pivot 98. lifting the roller appreciably above the path of the next label.

.During the described portion of the operating cycle, the article may continue to move forward since the actual application of the label occurs substantially instantaneously. The presence of the article beneath feeler arm 53 prevents the return of deten't'73 of pawl 41. However, upon the passage of the article from beneath the feeler, arm 53 rotates by gravity allowing detent 58 to pivot to the extent necessary to by-pass the detent and come to rest against the top side of finger 40.

. It is important that feeler 53 be so positioned relative to the articlebeing'labeledas to elevate dog 58 above detent 73 as the article arrives at the labeling station. If dog 58 does not override the detent, pawl 41. is not free to rotate counterclockwise and into contact with the advancing strip of labels under the influence of spring70. These essential conditions can be assured by the proper adjustment of feeler 53 on shaft 54 in accordance with the height above the conveyor of the particular article being labeled. It will also be appreciated from the foregoing that the spacing between the ends of adjacent labels permits the lowermost end of hook 43 to rotate into contact with ribbon 16 as the labels advance.

It is also pointed out that the upwardly arched portion 36 of shoe 49, in cooperation with the underlyingspring 52, performs an important function made clear by Figures 3, 4 and 5 of the drawings. Normally with the label feed at rest, spring 52 is sufiiciently stiff to depress the ribbon and label directly rearward of transverse finger 37. The sharp bending of ribbon 16 thereby produced effects the severance of the label lip 38 from the ribbon. The fact that the label thereafter is depressed against the ribbon by shoe 49 is not harmful since the tacky condition of the adhesive caused by the heat of heater 62 prevents resticking of the lip to the ribbon. The passage of loosened lip 38 over the hump of forward finger 42 adjacent edge 27 of the platen effects a repeat severing action on the label lip causing it to flex upwardly to engage hook 43'of pawl 41. The described lifting oflip 38 not only assures firm engagement of the label with hook 43 but acts to guide the label over the rounded end 4601:

guide shoe 45 and to aidin the transverse arching of the label. Of particular importance is the fact that the separation of lip 38 safeguards against thelabel following ribbon 16 about the edge of platen 26.

By reference to Figures 5a and'5b it is to be noted,

that the machine herein described acts to apply labels with equal facility and effectiveness irrespective of the shape of the surface to which the label is applied. Preferably, however, the articles being labeled should be arranged on the conveyor or other feeding device with the axis of a curved surface lying parallel to the axis of the smoothing roller 92. This arrangement is illustrated in Figures 5a and 5b, the former showing the applicator mechanism pressing a label 44 onto the convex surface of an article 65; and'Figure 5b showing a similar operation for anarticle 65" having a concave label-receiving surface. In both instances the articles being labeled arrive at the labeling station with the axis of their label-receiving surfaces parallel to the axis of roller 92. In this manner the labelis fed outwardly over the curved end 46 of guide shoe 45, the continued forward feed of the label serving to shear the label from the ribbon. During label feeding, ribbon 16 is tensioned resulting in spring 52 beingdeflected upwardly as shownin Figure 3. I As feedand rotate these arms counterclockwise about pivot pin 18 ,until the axis, of spring 24 passes above the axis of pin 18 whereupon the spring becomes effective to hold the rollers and supporting arms in retracted position. The new roll of labels is then clamped in place in reel 29 and the carrier ribbon is mounted in the feeding mechainsm after which the clutch mechanism rotated clockwise into closed position against drive wheel 15.

It will be evident from the foregoing that when a new label reaches the position shown in Figure 5, pawl 41 is effective to rotate shaft 67 clockwise to open motor switch 79 discontinuing the label feed and reversing the position of switch 80 to the position illustrated in Figure 8. In this position rectifier 108 operates to recharge condenser 107 in readiness to activate relay 106 instantly upon a call for a new label.

While the particular automatic labeling machine herein shown and described in detail is fully capable of attaining the objects and providing the advantages hereinabove stated, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiments of the invent-ion and that no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown other than as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An automatic labeling machine adapted to apply a label to an article as the article reaches a predetermined labeling station, said machine comprising a strip of sequentially arranged labels, means for feeding articles to be labeled past said labeling station, means to feed said strip of labels to said station including means for syn- 1 chronizing the advance of labels in accordance with the advance of an article, and means for transferring a label from said strip and afiixing the same to the article, said synchronizing means comprising a member mounted to be engaged and moved forwardly by an advancing label of said strip to a predetermined position, means actuated by said member when so moved to interrupt the action of said label-feeding means, and means actuated by the advance of an article to a predetermined position at said labeling station to disengage said member from the label.

2. An automatic labeling machine as defined in claim 1 wherein said labels include a layer of temperature-sensitive adhesive on one side thereof, and heating means spaced closely adjacent the surface of said strip of labels as the same reach the labeling station and operative to soften said adhesive prior to the aflixation of the same to an article.

3. An automatic labeling machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein means is provided to move said member, when so disengaged, to a position to engage the edge of the next following label on the strip and initiate the advance of the strip of labels.

4. A power-driven labeling machine as defined in claim 3 wherein said strip of labels includes continuous ribbon means to which said labels are lightly attached in endto-end relation.

5. A power-driven labeling machine as defined in claim 4 including means for feeding said ribbon means over a short-radius return-bend opposite said labeling station and including guide means at said return-bend for deof the-type having 'an-electric label feeding drive and a fast-acting label transfer mechanism driven by an electromagnet, said controlcircuit being adapted for energization from an A.C. power source and comprising, electric motor-driven means for feeding labels from a supply source to a labeling .station, means governed by the advance of 'a label to a predetermined position for discontinuing thefeeding of labels, means to initiate resumption of said label feed actuated by the advance of an article to be labeled, an electric pulse forming means, and means for discharging said pulse through said electromagnet upon the reactivation of said label feed.

8. A control circuit as defined in claim 7 including electric means for heating advancing labels to soften temperature-responsive adhesive material carried by said labels.

9. A control circuit as defined in claim 7 including a pair of switches, one of said switches being connected to control the energization of said label feeding means, and the other of said switches being operable to control energization of said pulse forming means, said switches being operatively interconnected so that one is open so long as the other is closed.

10. A control circuit as defined in claim 7 wherein said pulse-forming means includes a capacitor and a semiconductor connected in circuit with the power supply, a normally deenergized relay in circuit with said power supply, and switch means operable to deactivate said semiconductor and to energize said relay thereby placing said capacitor in circuit with said electromagnet to energize the same by the momentary pulse discharge of said capacitor.

11. A power-driven labeling machine comprising means for advancing a series of articles for labeling consecutively past a labeling station, a strip of connected labels arranged end to end, power means for advancing said strip to said labeling station at a rate determined by the advance of said articles with an individual label scheduled to arrive substantially simultaneously with an article to be labeled, means operable by the advance of the article to detach the foremost label from the strip and affix the same to the article, control means for controlling the advance of the labels inculding a feeler element engageable with the forward end of an advancing label and movable therewith through a limited path, said feeler element being operable to discontinue the advance of said strip of labels at a predetermined point with the forward label in readiness for transfer to an article, and means governed by the advancing article to disengage said feeler element and initiate the operation of the labeladvancing means.

12. A power-driven labeling machine comprising means for advancing a series of articles for labeling consecutively past a labeling station, a strip of connected labels arranged end to end, power means for advancing said strip to said labeling station at a rate determined by the advance of said articles with an individual label scheduled to arrive substantially simultaneously with an article to be labeled, means including a movably mounted member operable by the advance of the article to detach the foremost label from the strip and afiix the same to the article, said label-detaching and -affixing means including electromagnetic fast-action mechanism for depressing the foremost label into firm contact with an underlying article, and pulse-generating means for energizing said mechanism including a capacitor operable to discharge through said electromagneticmechanism.

13. A labeling machine comprising supporting means for a roll of labels, means for feeding labels therefrom, each of said labels having an adhesive afiixed to one side thereof, said labels each having a portion engageable with a feed-control feeler positioned to engage the same as the labels advance, means controlled by said feeler for discontinuing the feed of labels when the leading label is at the labeling station, article position-sensing means operative as an article advances to said labeling station to References Cited in the file of this patient afiixthe leading label to the article and to condition said I IabeLfeeding meanS to bring a; succeeding label'into-posi- U S A A EN e tion for transfer to the next article, said label-affixing 1,454,889 -Gustafson- May 15, 1923 means comprising a pressermember normally biased to a 5 2,652,166 7 Johnson Sept 15; 1953 retracted position, and pulse-energized solenoid means 2,726,003 Govatsos Dec. 6, 1955' connected-to said presser member and operative to de- 2,754,022- Schneider July 10,1956 press said leading label against an article es the article 2,802,598 Petterson Aug. 13, 1957 reaches a predetermined position at said labeling station. 

